It has been a tale of two seasons for the Wildcat women’s basketball team this year. The first was the non-conference schedule where ACU went 3-9.
Heading into Lone Star Conference play, it looked like the Wildcats were going to have a rebuilding season with only two upperclassmen on the roster. Six games later, the ‘Cats are 4-2 in the conference and are clicking on all cylinders.
Saturday in Moody was further proof that the Wildcats are hitting their stride. Led by freshmen Mack Lankford’s 31 points, ACU never trailed against the Eastern New Mexico Zias in a 71-59 victory.
“We broke their 1-3-1 zone,” Lankford said. “We drew up a play that worked really well for us.”
The Wildcats started off hot, hitting their first four shots from the field to take an early 10-3 lead that forced Zia coach Linden Weese to take an early timeout. Throughout most of the game, Weese complained to the officials about not getting any calls and got called for a technical foul in the second half.
“It was good to come out shooting well,” Lankford said. “Especially, because I haven’t been shooting well lately.”
Lankford wasn’t the only offensive performer on the court for ACU. Senior Autumn Whitaker dropped in 16 points and sophomore Cecilee Perez added 10.
Sophomore center Kelsey Smith who is a big part of the Wildcat offense and defense was in foul trouble all game and only played 15 minutes. In her limited time, Smith made her presence known with eight points and 10 rebounds.
The Wildcats didn’t skip a beat with Smith out of the game. Relying on their other centers, the combination of Sarah Reno and Emily Miller gave ACU eight important rebounds.
The fast break has been where the Wildcats have had the most success this season, and the Zias schemed accordingly bringing all available players to the backcourt whenever possible.
“They kept bringing everyone back to try and defend our fast break,” Lankford said. “Obviously, we were still able to play our game.”
The move slowed down but didn’t stop the quick transition points from the ‘Cats who still managed 10 fast-break points.
ACU will play the second half of a home-and-home series against Angelo State at home Saturday in Moody at 2 p.m.
